Spiritual Identity
Today we begin our new series. Come on a journey with me to ancient Corinth, a place of materialism, sexuality and conflicting religious traditions, much like us today. Come discover God’s spiritual wisdom for how to live for Christ in a foolish world. The Corinthian Christians wanted to follow Christ, but they were caught up in their culture and struggled with hearing different voices selling their own opinions. As a result the church was divided among different factions. What they thought was wise instead was foolish. They thought they were mature, but in fact they were spiritual babies so Paul wrote this letter to grow them. In this amazing book, we will find spiritual wisdom that overturns commonly accepted “wisdom” in our culture. We will see that our lives can be all about Jesus and that will be a great life, no matter how others see us.
Brace yourself because Paul gets direct in dealing with the Corinthians’ issues. More than in any other letter, Paul uses sarcasm and deliberate exaggeration to shake them out of their foolish thinking. We need the same today. This study will help us to live mature, Christ-like lives in a corrupt culture. The problems they faced, we too face in our lives today.
To understand the book, it will help you if know some history about Corinth. If you have not done so yet, read the Introduction to the Study Guide for an outstanding short background on Corinth. Let me give you a few highlights. The city of Corinth was ideally situated on the narrow land bridge between Peloponnesus and mainland Greece with two harbors: Cenchreae, about six miles to the east on the Saronic Gulf, led straight to Asia, and Lechaeum, about two miles to the north on the Corinthian Gulf, led straight to Italy. A four-mile road connected the two ports, enabling cargo and even small ships to be hauled across the isthmus. Corinth controlled both the commercial land and sea travel between Italy and Asia.
Although the city has an ancient history, it was totally destroyed in 146 BC by Lucium Mumius, then it was refounded in 44 B. C. by Julius Caesar as a Roman colony. So the Corinth of Paul’s time was a new city. A building boom occurred between the reigns of Augustus and Nero, making Corinth “arguably the most dazzling and modern of Greek cities” (Savage 1996: 36). It was the hot place economically. To use current terms: schmoozing, rubbing shoulders with the powerful, pulling strings, scratching each other’s back, and dragging rivals’ names through the mud—were required to attain success.
In terms of religions, Corinth was a melting pot. It had everything. You could pick your religion; most worshipped multiple gods hoping that one would bring wealth and happiness. New Testament scholar Gordon Fee says, “All of this evidence together suggests that Paul’s Corinth was at once the New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas of the ancient world.” Another author summarizes, “The city had developed an unapologetic love of things and a love of pleasure. It was full of people who wanted to make money and have fun.” That sounds a lot like . . . We share much in common with the Corinthians and so need to pay special attention to what Paul says. Could we say this is Paul’s letter to America or to Collin County?
Paul founded the church in Corinth about five years earlier on his second missionary journey. Paul addresses the issue of the church’s spiritual identity against its cultural surroundings. The problem was not that the church was in Corinth, but that too much of Corinth was in the church.
Paul takes them back to deep roots of our faith to show us how to live for Christ in a hostile, corrupt culture. He urges us to live mature, Christ-like lives by the power of the Spirit as a unified church. And yet Paul’s imperative is always anchored in the prior action of God in Christ. Fundamentally we are to become who we already are. We are to live out our identity in Christ.
Today we are digging into the opening seventeen verses of the book. Open your Bible to the book of First Corinthians, chapter one. Here’s the issue. Although the Corinthians were called into fellowship in Christ, instead they have divided up the body of Christ into competing cliques. To address the issue, Paul takes them to deep roots of our faith. He opens our eyes to see our spiritual identity in Christ. Paul’s point is that you can embrace your spiritual identity by seeing six traits of your identity in Christ, so you should avoid human divisions and instead pursue unity in Christ.
After his opening greeting and thanksgiving, Paul attacks their infighting with biting arguments, reducing their position to absurdity. In most of his letters Paul includes a thanksgiving section that gives appreciation for a church’s love or works of faith and then gives a prayer for the church. What is most shocking is what’s missing from the Thanksgiving in First Corinthians. As we read it, notice what is missing in that for which he gives thanks. Notice how he describes the Corinthians in terms of their spiritual identity in Christ. Please stand for the reading of God’s Word, First Corinthians, chapter one, verse one. I will be reading from the NIV.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Did you hear what was missing? Paul makes no mention of anything good the Corinthians are doing, but only speaks of the great things God has done for them. This is like a father addressing a “difficult child” at dinner and saying to him, “Johnny, every night I am deeply grateful to your mother who bathes you and feeds you supper.” This is not a compliment to Johnny. The Corinthians are in a mess and need help.
How does Paul identify himself? He is called by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. We will see that we too have a divine calling. How does Paul identify to whom the letter is written? It is to the Church of God in Corinth. Right away Paul directs attention from the human to the divine. It is not the church of Corinth or the church of some human leader, but the church of God. It belongs to God.
In Paul’s opening prayer of thanksgiving we see six amazing traits of our spiritual identity in Christ. Understanding the deep roots of your identity in Christ enables you to live for Christ in a corrupt culture. Paul’s big point in this passage is to embrace your spiritual identity in Jesus Christ.
Embrace your spiritual identity in Jesus Christ You are . . .
As we dig deep into what Paul says, we will see six traits of our identity in Christ, six things that are true about us, six realities of our new identity that make all the difference. First as a believer, you are called to be holy in Christ Jesus.
Called to be holy in Christ Jesus
In his opening Paul describes the church as those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people. We too have a calling. Older translations used the word “saints.” We are called to be saints, a word that can be misleading, but helps us see the high status we have in our identity in Christ. You see, we are holy in Christ. As Paul did not achieve his apostleship, so they do not achieve holiness, but received it as a gift. All Christians are equally holy so that none is to be regarded “saintlier” than others. Of course, we are to live in light of our identity so as holy people we are to live holy lives.
A young man who joins the United States Marine Corps takes on a new identity with several notable traits. Commanding officers motivate recruits with their new identity. You are a Marine, act like one. As a follower of Christ, you are holy, so act that way. Your life should reflect the status you have been given. The root idea of holiness is separation. A Christian is to be different because you belong to God. Sadly, the Corinthians looked far more like Corinth than like God’s holy people. Paul’s answer is to take them to the deep roots of their identity. You are holy in Christ Jesus.
The second trait of our identity can be seen in verse two. Paul writes this letter not just to the church in Corinth, but also to those everywhere to call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who are we? We are ones who share the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ones who share the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
We need to realize that we are not the only Christians in the world. Our group, our church, unites with those all over the world who share the name of Jesus. We are not the only pebble on the beach, nor are we the center of Christianity. We belong to a larger community of believers in Jesus Christ. We share the name Jesus with churches all over McKinney, America, Mexico and the world.
We find spiritual identity in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The title “Lord” expresses the dominance and right of a superior over an inferior, a king over a subject or in this case, God over the believer. To call someone “Lord” expresses an understanding of identity in terms of belonging and devotion and allegiance. Since in the Old Testament “Lord” is frequently used of God, it is also an affirmation that Jesus is God.
Who are we? We are among those who share in the name of Jesus as the Lord, God. We are identified as subjects of the Lord Jesus to whom we have committed ourselves and in whom we trust. I am a Christian, one who shares the name of Jesus Christ. That’s my deep identity. A third trait of our identity is that you are given grace by God in Jesus Christ.
Given grace by God in Christ Jesus
In verses three and four we see that grace is the first gift for which Paul thanks God. Grace is freely given, not earned or achieved. Again, this greeting is subversive. This reference to God’s grace given to them undercuts any egocentric pride in their spiritual achievements. We tend to go through life auditioning for the approval of others. In Christ we already have God’s approval. Grace is the kindness of God in Jesus Christ. God’s grace brings us salvation in Jesus Christ.
In fact, Jesus Christ is the center and focus of this entire passage. Christ or the pronoun referring to him is repeated in every verse of the thanksgiving. Through Christ, God has “given” (1:4), “enriched” (1:5), “confirmed” (1:6), and “called” (1:9); and God will “confirm” them on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:8). There are ten references to Christ in the first ten verses. Jesus Christ is the center of our identity. Our spiritual identity is rooted in Jesus.
How do we access this grace that God offers to give us in Christ Jesus? How did the Corinthians gain this grace? They trusted in Jesus Christ as their savior from sin and death and God’s just judgment. They put their faith in the name of Jesus who died for them and rose from the dead on the third day. You can do the same. Today, trust in Jesus Christ to save you. Trust in Jesus and God will give you this grace in him. This spiritual identity we are talking about can be yours by trusting in Jesus Christ. If this is a decision you want to make today, let me know by indicating it on your Care Card so I can celebrate your new identity with you. You are now holy in Jesus. You are now one who shares the name of the Lord Jesus and you have been given grace by God in Christ. Then on top of those great truths, you also are rich in all spiritual gifts in Christ.
Rich in all spiritual gifts in Christ
This is the next trait of our identity. In verses five to seven Paul says that you are rich in all spiritual gifts in Christ. In Christ you have been enriched so that you lack no grace gift. “Those to whom Paul wrote this letter lived in a society that produced great material wealth but that created spiritually bankrupt people.” Paul’s claim is that in a world of such spiritual poverty Christ has enriched the lives of those to whom he is writing. The same is true for us.
The phrase “spiritual gift” can be misunderstood as applying only to gifts of the Spirit such as tongues and prophecy, but in Greek it is actually one word that literally means “that which is freely given” or “grace things.” The Greek word charisma in this context most likely refers to God’s good gifts generally. These gifts help the church battle sin both inside the congregation and outside in the world. Who are you? You are rich in all spiritual gifts in Christ. In Christ you have everything you need to live a godly life and serve Jesus. You are spiritually rich. This is your identity. This is who you are. Live in light of your identity. Live as a rich person, spiritually, in Jesus Christ.
Not only are we rich today, but we have so much to look forward to. Here’s another amazing trait of your spiritual identity. You are kept secure for Jesus’ return.
Kept secure for Jesus’ return
In verses seven and eight we learn that we are people who eagerly await our Lord Jesus Christ to be publicly revealed in the world. Our identity is as vigilant people. We are standing on tiptoe in anticipation of who is to come. Not only that, but are confident that God will keep us firm to the end so that we are blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. How amazing that Paul would say this to a group of people who are anything but blameless. How can Paul affirm this? His confidence is not in the Corinthians, but in God through Christ. What an incredible assurance for us who often struggle with guilt over all the things we have done wrong. In Christ you are blameless. Your salvation is secure in Christ.
Salvation can be compared to a lifeboat. We were on a sinking ship doomed to die, but we were saved decisively by a lifeboat. Yet the journey on the lifeboat takes us through choppy, uncomfortable seas in the present until we reach the final safe landing on the solid shore ahead. Who are you? You are a future-oriented person looking for the return of Jesus with confidence. We know how the story ends. We’ve read the last chapter. These days it’s easy to get so bogged down in today’s failures that we lose sight of the ultimate victory we have in Christ. But embrace your identity in Jesus. You are kept secure for Jesus’ return.
Finally Paul concludes with a sixth trait of our identity, one of the most amazing deep roots of our faith. You are called into fellowship with Jesus Christ the Lord.
Called into fellowship with Jesus Christ the Lord
In verse nine Paul picks up the theme of calling from verse one. Once again Paul directs the focus away from ourselves and onto God. We are privileged to commune with Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated “fellowship” is koinonia which conveys so much more than merely having a nice social time with friends. As New Testament scholar Thiselton puts it, “It is not simply or primarily the experience of being together as Christians which is shared, but the status of being-in-Christ and of being shareholders in a sonship derived from the sonship of Christ." We share in the life of Jesus. We participate in his life. The celebration of communion in the bread and the cup symbolizes this sharing in Jesus. Who are you? You are in fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord. You are in Christ, sharing in his death and resurrection, sharing in his future inheritance. This is remarkable. This is who you are. Take a moment to reflect on your spiritual identity. Who are you? You are Called to be holy in Christ Jesus; Ones who Share the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; Given grace by God in Christ Jesus; Rich in all spiritual gifts in Christ; Kept secure for Jesus’ return; and Called into fellowship with Jesus Christ the Lord.
So these deep roots of our spiritual identity provide the basis for how Paul addresses the human divisions upsetting the church in Corinth. Look at the second half of the passage at how he applies the truth of spiritual identity in verses ten to seventeen. His point is that we must avoid human division and pursue unity in Jesus.
So avoid human divisions and pursue unity in Jesus
In verse ten Paul appeals to his brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ echoing back to our identity in Jesus as the basis for his appeal that the church agree and have no divisions but be united in mind and purpose. According to verses eleven and twelve Paul learned about the problem from Chloe’s people; she may have been an Asian businesswoman who sent people with letters to Paul. He was not happy.
He calls on them to agree, in Greek kat-artizo, meaning to be knit together, language of a tentmaker. If the canvas “splits,” the tent is worthless. Paul urges them to set aside their disagreements and focus on what truly matters—Jesus Christ and their mission to take the light of the gospel into a dark world. He urges them essentially to take the same side, the side of Christ who is their identity. At Christ Fellowship this is our heart – to be all Jesus. We intentionally do not focus on minor matters over which Christians divide, choosing instead to be centered on Jesus Christ who unites us. At Christ Fellowship, we are all about Jesus.
Paul appeals for the Corinthians to avoid divisions and pursue unity on two clear bases. The first is because their identity is not in a mere human person.
Because Your identity is not in a mere human person
Historians believe the Corinthians were influenced by a secular model of leadership that was personality-centered, and they associated themselves with certain high-profile figures. One says “I follow Paul,” another “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,“and still another “I follow Christ.” In Corinth it was a big deal to associate with a certain political or business group and cut down anyone from a different group, sort of like American politics in election seasons. The Apollos group may have been more philosophical. The Cephas group more Jewish. The Paul group trying to get on his good side and of course there is always the group that claims to be the Christ group.
Through history Christians have divided over high-profile personalities. Luther, Calvin and Wesley are likely turning in their graves over those who identify themselves as Lutheran, Calvinist or Wesleyan. Today with the advent of the Internet there is a huge increase in public disputes and factions over every imaginable doctrine and personality. There are people who love and despise Joel Osteen, John MacArthur, Rick Warren, John Piper and Mark Driskoll. People divide and identify themselves with denominational and theological labels from Presbyterian to Pentecostal, and also battle over worship styles and personalities. I don’t think Paul would be pleased. Our spiritual identity is not in a mere human person or point of view. Rather our identity is in Christ, his cross, name and Gospel.
Your identity is in Christ, his cross, name and gospel
Paul undermines this factious spirit with three parallel questions. He is using the argument of reduction ad absurdum (making an opposing perspective appear ridiculous by extending it to an absurd conclusion). The questions underscore the lunacy of exalting one leader over another when they all share the same identity in Jesus Christ.
First he asks, “Is Christ divided?” Of course not. Do you want to try to tear Christ to pieces by splitting up his body into different factions? Second, “Was Paul crucified for you?” Neither Paul, nor any other leader died to pay for their sins. No human leader is the source of our salvation. Third, “Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Of course not. Paul anchors his point in the two deep roots of the cross and baptism. The question is, “Who died for us?” We all share the same identity in Jesus who died for us and into whom we are baptized symbolizing our sharing in his death and resurrection. So we should not divide on human leaders.
In the last verse of this section, verse seventeen, Paul summarizes his point and looks to the next section: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Paul’s point is not to minimize baptism, but rather that the issue of who baptized whom is beside the point. Let’s focus on the real issue, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let’s not get distracted by asking, “Who is the most skilled preacher?” The point is not who can charm crowds and get a following; the point is the cross of Jesus Christ. It is God who transforms people through Jesus, not fancy speeches that gain large crowds. No one should use the Gospel for self-promotion. If a person comes to church only for the entertainment value that empties the cross of the power it has to grant a new spiritual identity.
So Paul’s powerful point today is to embrace your spiritual identity in Christ. Who are you? Embrace the amazing traits of your spiritual identity in Christ. Then you can evaluate divisions in churches. Are you identifying yourself with a personality or point of view more than with Jesus? You can embrace your spiritual identity by seeing six traits of your identity in Christ. You are called to be holy in Christ Jesus; Ones who share the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; given grace by God in Christ Jesus; Rich in all spiritual gifts in Christ; Kept secure for Jesus’ return and Called into fellowship with Jesus Christ the Lord.
Footnotes:
Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids,MI. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1987. Pp 1
Garland, David E. 1 Corinthians. Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, 2003. Pp 4
Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids,MI. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1987. Pp 3
Chafin, Kenneth L. Mastering the New Testament: 1, 2 Corinthians. Word.
1985. Pp 18
Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids,MI. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1987. Pp 4
Bailey, Kenneth E. Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians. Inter-Varsity Press. Downers Grove, 2011, Pp 61
Chafin, Kenneth L. Mastering the New Testament: 1, 2 Corinthians. Word. 1985
Chafin, Kenneth L. Mastering the New Testament: 1, 2 Corinthians. Word. 1985, Pp 28
Chafin, Kenneth L. Mastering the New Testament: 1, 2 Corinthians. Word. 1985, Pp 29
Chafin, Kenneth L. Mastering the New Testament: 1, 2 Corinthians. Word. 1985, Pp 30
Keener, Craig S. 1-2 Corinthians. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, 2005, Pp 26
